Pages

Monday, June 25, 2012

What the Baby Books Don't Tell You

I'm taking part in a topic that is very close to my heart. Motherhood. Specifically, what the baby books don't tell you. Last Winter I wrote about an incident with my 9 year old daughter. No baby book I ever read, and there were a lot, ever told me how to deal with this particular topic. They didn't say that someday your sweet, soft cheeked angel would grow up and say things. Things that you will just not be ready for. Here is the original post, but it bears repeating for those of you who are still in the sweet stage before they learn to talk... and think.... Please enjoy your sleepless nights, because while you love them more every day.... it just doesn't get any easier! How's that for inspiration and encouragement?

Dad- Playing some dumb zombie game on his phone,
{*Tetris would have been acceptable, because Tetris is cool}

Izzy-
Happily chattering away about puzzle pieces, and occasionally instructing and
bossing around her mom and dad which is her new favorite past-time. Be it about
cooking, driving or parenting. So fun!

Mom- "Izzy, I need you to know
that before you agree to marry a man, you should probably ask a few more
important questions than I asked."

Izzy- giggles and looks at me over the
top of her glasses

Dad-{husband's head twitches, but does not look away
from game}"Like what for instance???"

Mom- "For instance, how many
children you want. Or if you will forever have to live where it is cold. I'm
just saying, if you want to live where it is sunny and warm, you should find
these things out before you choose a mate."

Dad- "That's your fault for
only caring about my good looks at the time."

Izzy- "Oh I know all about
how to
mate!"..........
........
....................
..........................
{world stops. zombie game stops. puzzling stops. Mom and Dad's heads snap up,
eyes bug, and they stare at each other with their jaws on the table for a
solid 10 Mississippi's}

Mom- "Pardon me? And how exactly do you
mate?"

Izzy- "All big cats do it the same way MOooom. {with the
exasperation only a 9 year old can muster} One jumps on the other one's back
and it bites their neck."
......
...........

Mom and Dad burst into
uncontrollable laughter. Loud, raucous laughter. The kind where eventually you
can't breathe, and your sides hurt. The kind where you finally stop, look at
each other and then start the laughing, gasping for breath cycle
again.

Izzy- "Why are you laughing? Mating isn't funny."

Mom- "You're right, that's
how it works. Absolutely......Oh and Izzy, no more watching National Geographic
without us."

And the world starts back to normal rotation.

The reason I reposted this today is not because I simply enjoy writing down the things that I want to be sure not to forget in 30 years. Its for good. I want each of you to consider giving to this amazing cause. But let me give you Jeannett's words, because they resonate deep in my soul.

"Becoming a mom makes the world a smaller place. The faces of children around the world squeeze your heart in a way they never did before. The anguish of a mother thousands of miles away hurts deeply. Knowing how often I pour a glass of water for my kids...wash their clothes...wipe down their faces...I can't NOT want to help a mother on the other side of the world provide the most basic of necessities for her sweet babe. Join us in supporting mothers worlds away. Because somehow, their babies are our babies too."

Please visit this page and give even $1, so that children and families can have the very most basic neccessity of life. Water.
And for a bit more serious take on the topic, and my sleeping baby boy, visit the post before this one! Two in one day after a month's silence. You are welcome :)